Nagpur Slaps ₹24 Lakh Fine on Keltron for CCTV Network Delays
The Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) has imposed a substantial penalty of ₹24 lakh on Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keltron) for its failure to bring all closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras online within the agreed timeframe. This decisive action comes after years of neglect that left the city's electronic surveillance system largely non-functional, undermining public safety initiatives.
Systemic Neglect Exposed in Surveillance Infrastructure
Nagpur's CCTV surveillance network, once celebrated as a cornerstone of the Smart City project for enhancing crime detection, traffic management, and overall public security, has suffered from prolonged deterioration. Originally installed in 2017 by Larsen & Toubro, the system was designed as a comprehensive citywide monitoring solution. However, inadequate maintenance and delayed repairs over subsequent years rendered a significant portion of the network inoperative.
When NSSCDCL transferred operations and maintenance responsibilities to Keltron, only about one-third of the 3,686 strategically placed CCTV cameras were operational. This stark reality highlighted the depth of systemic neglect affecting critical urban infrastructure.
Contractual Obligations and Performance Shortfalls
Keltron secured a five-year contract valued at approximately ₹125 crore to operate and maintain Nagpur's entire CCTV network, translating to roughly ₹25 crore annually. The comprehensive agreement encompassed hardware and software upkeep, fault rectification, and manpower deployment to prevent network degradation.
Officiating CEO and additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant confirmed that the ₹24 lakh penalty was deducted from Keltron's first-quarter payment, signaling official dissatisfaction with the restoration pace. While significant progress has been made—reducing non-functional cameras from the majority to around 500 through repair drives and component replacements—the penalty indicates expectations remain unmet.
Infrastructure Challenges and Coordination Failures
Officials identified rampant and repeated road digging by various agencies, including the state public works department and the National Highways Authority of India, as a primary cause of CCTV system failures. Cable damage from these activities severely compromised connectivity across multiple locations.
In numerous instances, cameras were left without observation devices, rendering them effectively useless despite physical installation. Civic observers note this episode reveals deeper coordination failures between infrastructure agencies and raises serious questions about asset protection in large-scale urban development projects.
Future Monitoring and Accountability Measures
With substantial public funds committed over the five-year contract period, officials emphasize that Keltron will remain under close scrutiny to ensure Nagpur's surveillance backbone finally fulfills its long-promised role in city safeguarding. The penalty imposition serves as both a corrective measure and a warning that performance standards must be maintained.
This development underscores the critical importance of reliable surveillance infrastructure in modern urban management and the consequences when contractual obligations are not satisfactorily met. As Nagpur continues its Smart City transformation, effective CCTV network operation remains essential for achieving comprehensive public safety objectives.
